Help! I'm the Plot Device: Just Here to Save the Heroes

Jerry vs. Gravity: The Sequel

But the ground never came.

Mid-air, Jerry instinctively struck a swimming pose, arms flailing, legs paddling, heart leaping into his throat. "What-what's happening?!" he gasped.

"I don't think your time is up, host," the system intoned, a hint of dry amusement in its voice.

Jerry's eyes snapped open. The stars blurred as he dangled, suspended in the night like a marionette. Above him, a firm hand gripped his waist belt, holding him steady. His other hand, casually resting on the railing, belonged to none other than Yan An-or rather, Li Jie, in his dual guise.

Jerry blinked, incredulous. "Yao Daren... let me go!" he demanded, disappointment and incredulity mixing in his voice.

Yan An's expression remained calm, unflustered, a quiet anchor in the chaos of Jerry's theatrics. With a subtle tug, he pulled Jerry up and then dropped him safely onto the floor. Jerry landed with a thud, robes dripping, hair plastered to his forehead, dignity hanging by a thread.

"What... what are you doing here?" Jerry demanded, brushing himself off, splashes of water marking the wood around him. "You ruined everything!"

Yan An's eyes held steady, unshaken. No words. Just that calm, unwavering gaze.

Jerry stepped back, heart pounding and pride bruised. He looked up at Yan An one last time. "I'm leaving," he said, voice resolute. Then, without waiting for a response, he turned and strode out, wet robes clinging, socks squelching, leaving the watchtower and the impossible rescue behind.

🐱🧶🐱

Yichen's Chamber

Back in Yichen's chamber, Jerry had changed into his soft night robes, damp hair sticking to his forehead, floor squeaking lightly as he shuffled across the floor. He flopped onto the bed, muttering to the system.

"I... I was this close. This close from leaving this place," he groaned. "And he ruined it."

The system crackled. "Calm down, host. It wasn't even certain you would have gone back if you died. Take this... positive."

Jerry blinked. "Positive? Positive?!"

A sudden gust stirred the curtains, making the silk murmur against the floor. Jerry exhaled heavily. "Yeah... here comes the villain of my story."

He turned-and there stood Yan An, leaning casually against the doorframe.

Jerry's robe swished as he padded forward. "Who... who are you? My... secret boyfriend, to sneaking into my bedroom at midnight?"

Yan tilted his head slightly, expression amused. "Xi qi bai fan," he said softly, letting the words roll off his tongue like a teasing whisper.

Jerry froze. "What?!"

Yan stepped closer, eyes locking on Jerry's, the corners of his lips tilting. "Xi qi bai fan... truly an unusual name. Is it because, my cat-".

Jerry threw up his hands, flustered. "No.. no.. I mean do you think we're dating or something?!"

Yan blinked, genuinely curious. "Da... Dating...? What is...?"

Jerry sighed, exasperated. "As in we are being together? Do you think we're a couple to sneak into my bedrooms everyday?"

Yan's gaze softened, voice low and deliberate as he stepped closer, closing the distance by half a breath. "Perhaps... it depends. If you want us to be?"

Jerry's heart thumped so hard he nearly fell onto the bed again. "What?!"

Yan let his hand brush slightly past Jerry's, casual, deliberate. "Do you... want... us to be a couple?"